Frome made it 13 home wins in a row across all competitions with a well-earned victory against Willand Rovers at Badgers Hill on Saturday.
A wet and windy December afternoon was livened up thanks to a miraculous goal from captain Sam Teale before the half-time whistle that went a fair way to securing the three points.
The visitors started brightly, keeping hold of possession for long spells, but they struggled to fashion chances to test James Carey.
It was the Robins who had the first big chance of the game when Jon Davies shot straight at visiting ‘keeper George Burton from close range after being set up by James Ollis.
Frome took the lead when a Martin Lenihan cross landed perfectly on the head of Kane Simpson, and the striker guided a delightful effort beyond Burton and into the net.
Willand responded well to falling behind, regaining their composure and the majority of ball possession, yet there was little they could do to prevent falling further behind before the interval.
Teale spotted Burton off his line as he prepared to take a free-kick in the middle of the field, and lofted a glorious effort over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net to send Badgers Hill wild.
Carey was forced into his first action of the half in injury-time when he remained alert at his near post to deny Jack Rice-Lethaby.
A scuffle early in the second half saw Lenihan, Chris Peck and a Willand man booked, and it appeared to halt any momentum the visitors were trying to build.
Any hope of a comeback was extinguished in the 57th minute when Simpson showed a delicate touch to control a long ball up field before back-heeling into the path of Ollis, and he made no mistake with the goal gaping.
Willand once again had plenty of the ball as they searched for a consolation goal, but the Robins defended resolutely and Carey was only tested on a couple of occasions from distance.
The win means Frome have extended their lead at the top of the Southern League Division One South to seven points ahead of the trip to third-placed AFC Totton on Tuesday night.
Next at home
Comments